Sustainable Ecosystem Management: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Ecosystems are part of human wellbeing and their sustainable management is essential for the survival of the human race and biodiversity. This chapter explores the concept of sustainable ecosystem management (SEM), its principles, elements, faces, and implementation. SEM is defined as environmentally sensitive, ecosystem-based, and eco-regional based. Its successful implementation is therefore complex due to the different priorities of stakeholders, the scope of ecosystems, some of which are transboundary, and the ever-changing nature of these areas amidst environmental uncertainties. These aspects are vulnerable to political changes and reconciling them is difficult. This chapter proposes a five-step implementation plan on SEM that is pegged on adaptive management and holistic consideration of ecological resources. Using documented case studies, SEM is a proposed solution to ecosystem challenges of modern-day amidst hindrances of rising resource demand, population increase, and climate variability.